Student Work

A pair of headphones has an unexpected effect on its listener in the short film "Headphones," written, directed and edited by rising senior Lydia Cornett in Princeton's Program in Visual Arts. The film, which won first place in the college/independent category at the 2015 New Jersey Young Filmmakers Festival, stars rising junior Jackson Salter with cinematography by rising sophomore Eric Hayes. Â

The Lewis Center for the Arts' Program in Theater at Princeton University will present "Uncle Vanya" by Anton Chekhov, directed by faculty member R.N. Sandberg and featuring senior Zachary Salk as Vanya, at 8 p.m. Oct. 18, 19, 23, 24 and 25, in the Matthews Acting Studio at 185 Nassau St. A talk-back discussion with Princeton theater lecturer Mark Nelson will be held following the Oct. 24 performance. Read more.Â

The Science Action video program offers Princeton University students the unique opportunity to independently learn about current research topics in climate science, fusion physics or engineering principles by interviewing faculty members and filming a short video to explain a scientific insight in their own words. This trailer shows excerpts from last year's student team productions, currently posted to the Science Action YouTube page as part of Princeton’s informal online educational outreach. Science Action starts its second year with a kickoff meeting on Sept. 26. Read more.Â

Since 2008, the Pace Center for Civic Engagement has sponsored Breakout Princeton trips during fall and spring breaks. In this video, sophomore Ray Chao chronicles the fall 2012 trip that examined how the criminal justice system affects juveniles in Houston. Read more.Â

In this submission for the Emerging Alumni Scholars Award, graduate student Jennifer Schieltz explains her dissertation research, which investigates the interactions between cattle and wildlife on shared rangelands in Kenya. Learn more. Â

Professor Manjul Bhargava won the Fields Medal for top mathematicians under age 40 in 2014, and students who have taken his freshman seminar watched the webcast of the ceremony in Seoul. Junior Lillian Xu compiled a video of her fellow students congratulating the professor while thanking him for the incredible class they had their freshman spring.Â

"Specks of Dust," a documentary by Princeton University junior Azza Cohen and Class of 2014 graduate Shaina Watrous, will have its premiere screening at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 23, in McCormick Hall, Room 101, and at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 25, in the James M. Stewart '32 Theater at 185 Nassau St. The documentary follows the lives of individuals fighting for justice for the survivors of human trafficking in Varanasi, India. Learn more.Â

The winner of eight Tony Awards, including best musical, "Spring Awakening" is the story of a group of teenagers growing up in the repressive world of late-19th-century Germany, and it celebrates youth and rebellion with an electric rock and roll score. This Program in Theater production is directed by Julia Hammer and features John Somers Fairchild as Moritz; both are senior theater certificate students. Performances will be at 8 p.m. March 12-13 in the Berlind Theatre at McCarter Theatre Center. Learn more. Â

Paula Vogel's "How I Learned to Drive" is a warm, tragic, funny and strikingly perceptive play in which a young woman looks back on her warped experience with love and struggles to forgive in the face of her past trauma. The Princeton production, to be staged March 6-8 and 12-13, is directed by Lecturer in Theater and acclaimed playwright R.N. Sandberg and features senior Caroline Hertz as Li'l Bit. Learn more. Â

Princeton Pianists Ensemble recently performed its first collaboration with Princeton Film Productions, playing the original score to the original film "Again." In this video, students discuss how the concert performance highlighted a synthesis of two art forms on campus. Learn more. Â

Junior Glenna Yu produced this piece, one in a series of videos created by students in the Princeton Atelier course "Dance on Camera/DIY." The course instructors are Susan Marshall, director of the Program in Dance, and Danielle Aubert, a Princeton Arts Fellow. Learn more. Â

Senior Jake Robertson will present the classic Russian short story "Diary of a Madman" with a twist as he explores the characters in the story as well as the art of performing itself, asking: How much difference is there between a 19th-century clerk, an obsessive contemporary actor and the king of Spain? How do we know who we really are? The Program in Theater will present this senior thesis production, directed by Lecturer in Theater Bob Sandberg, at 8 p.m. Jan. 8, at 8 and 11 p.m. Jan. 9, and at 8 p.m. Jan. 10 in the Class of 1970 Theater at Whitman College. Tickets are free.Â

Seven Princeton students in the Princeton chapter of Engineers Without Borders traveled to Peru in summer 2013 to complete the first phase of a water system in the small mountainous community of La Pitajaya Alta. After six weeks of working with the community members, clean potable water was brought to every family in the community. In summer 2014, the Engineers Without Borders team completed the second part of the water system in La Pitajaya Baja, the lower part of the community.Â

On Dec. 4, 2014, approximately 500 Princeton University students and members of the immediate community convened, as one student said, to "stand in the nation's service and fight for justice by rejecting the culture of apathy and by reviving Princeton's tradition of protest." In the wake of the non-indictment of Darren Wilson and the officers involved in the death of Eric Garner, the event poster emphasized that the protest aimed to help "dismantle systemic injustices against marginalized people of color."Â

Everyone faces struggles, setbacks and failures at some point in their Princeton career, yet we so rarely talk about these experiences. Members of the Princeton Perspective Project believe that sharing these stories will reveal a new perspective on campus life, while helping all of us to be more resilient by understanding that failure is a natural part of the path to success — however you define it. Join the conversation by watching our videos, attending an event and sharing your own story! Learn more. Â

Mas Flow is a student-run dance company performing various styles of Latin dance for audiences both on and off campus. With an all-are-welcome policy, they invite students to come dance, enjoy themselves and be a part of an easygoing group.Â

Participants of Princeton University's Bridge Year Program captured some notable moments from their time in India. Bridge Year is a nine-month, tuition-free program that allows a select number of students to engage in public service abroad prior to the start of their freshman year. In 2014-15, placements are offered in Brazil, China, India, Peru and Senegal. The application deadline for incoming freshmen is May 18. Learn more. Â

The Princeton University Orchestra will be performing Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 3 at 7:30 p.m. April 25 and 26 in Richardson Auditorium. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $5 for student admission. Learn more.
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The new play "Margo in Margoland" will be performed at 8 p.m. April 18-19 and 24-26 at the Matthews Acting Studio at 185 Nassau St. In this magical realist adaptation inspired by the Greek myth Medea, Margo falls into her imagination, where she discovers that the pain and betrayal of her past are much more alive and real than she could have ever imagined. The play is written by senior certificate student Rachel Alter, directed by senior certificate student Caroline Slutsky, and choreographed by sophomore Adin Walker. Read more.Â

The Nash Ensemble of London will perform at Princeton on April 3, and one of the selections they will play is by Viet Cuong, a graduate student composer. Watch Cuong talk about what inspired his original composition, "Trains of Thought."Â

In fall 2013, Princeton University Concerts presented a post-concert, late-night chamber jam with the St. Lawrence String Quartet. Princeton students and community members came together with the quartet to read Haydn's "Emperor Quartet" after the quartet's concert in Richardson Auditorium. Â

The Lewis Center for the Arts' Program in Theater at Princeton University will present "The Producers," Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan's hit musical adaptation of classic 1968 film comedy, at 8 p.m. March 7-12 in the Berlind Theatre at McCarter Theatre Center. The production features seniors Mary Lou Kolbenschlag and Evan Thompson and is directed by Ethan Heard, lecturer in theater and the Lewis Center for the Arts, with choreography by junior Eamon Foley. Details and ticketing information are online.Â

Take a look behind the scenes as the student cast prepares for a Princeton production of "Great Expectations," Charles Dickens' beloved coming-of-age epic. Directed by Tim Vasen, director of the Program in Theater, the play will feature senior Peter Giovine as Pip with senior Emma Boettcher serving as dramaturg. The production will be performed at 8 p.m. Feb. 14-15 and 20-22 Matthews '53 Acting Studio. Tickets are available through University Ticketing. Â

Princeton students talk about the importance of the second meningitis B vaccine. A second dose of the vaccine will be available for eligible groups from noon to 8 p.m. Feb. 17-20 in the Frist Campus Center. Two doses are needed for maximum protection. For more information visit the University's meningitis information website. Â

The Student Health Advisory Board speaks with some of the Princeton students who have had meningitis and with Dr. Janet Neglia of University Health Services. Eligible University community members who did not receive the Meningitis B vaccine in December 2013 may receive the first dose of the vaccine on Jan. 15-16 in the Frist Campus Center. A second dose of the vaccine will be available Feb. 17-20 in the Frist Campus Center. Two doses are needed for maximum protection. For more information visit the University's meningitis information website. Â

At 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24, mandolin virtuoso Chris Thile will make his Princeton University Concerts debut playing works by Bach and others. This preview features Princeton sophomore Noah Fishman talking about Thile, one of Fishman's heroes. Read more.Â

The Princeton Sound Kitchen presents a wide variety of concerts and events of new music, serving the graduate student and faculty composers of the composition program at Department of Music at Princeton University. The ensemble's next performance is at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22, at the Princeton Arts Council, 102 Witherspoon St. For information on upcoming concerts, visit their website.Â

The film "The River of Muddy Water," by Princeton postdoctoral research associate Sara Sadri, looks at the many challenges to water security in Kenya that she encountered in Africa as a member of Princeton's EcoHydrology Lab. The film features the Maasai farmers who rely on the Ewaso Ng'iro river, scientists studying and forecasting the flows, and policymakers who work to bring reliable water to local populations, as well as African authorities from various water agencies. View the full movie.Â

Last summer, the Princeton chapter of Engineers Without Borders (EWB-PU) traveled to La Pitajaya, Peru, to construct the first phase of a potable water system. The community currently gets their water from a large river in the area that unfortunately has become significantly polluted from villages upstream. Therefore, the EWB-PU team and La Pitajaya residents plan to construct a system to pipe clean drinking water from a mountain source to both the upper and lower parts of the town. The summer 2012 trip saw the EWB-PU team and community beginning construction of the system for the upper, or "alta," section.Â

"Rebecca," a film by senior Chris Dodds featuring original music by sophomore Logan Roth will be shown at 9 p.m. Thursday, May 2, 1 p.m. Friday, May 3, and 4:30 p.m. Thursday, May 9, at the James M. Stewart '32 Theater, 185 Nassau St. Read more.Â

Seniors Lily Akerman and Samantha Ritter will stage a production of Shakespeare's "The Tempest" at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 8 and 9, and Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 14 to 16, in the Matthews Acting Studio. Read more.Â

Princeton computer scientists are collaborating with archaeologists to develop an automated system to help reconstruct wall paintings that hold clues to the ancient culture of Thera, Greece. Read story.Â